Andre Norton has been called “one of the most popular writers of our time" (Publishers Weekly) and has won virtually every award in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, including the Nebula Grand Master Award for life achievement. The author of more than forty novels over a career that spans decades, Norton is the “grand dame of science fiction"- (Life) and has for over twenty-five years enchanted readers with the most famous and popular of her works: the enthralling universe of the Witch World.A. C. Crispin is the bestselling author of several Star Trek novels as well as being the creator of the very popular Starbridge series- and this rising star has garnered a substantial audience of her own.Together, in Songsmith. they have created one of the best works set in Andre Norton's most beloved universe. Songsmith is the novel that Witch World fans have been waiting for: an evocative love story, filled with magic and wonder, that is destined to be one of the jewels in the Witch World cosmos. The story of Eydryth and her quest to save her father Jervon is a powerful one. This master songsmith possesses no magic herself, and must travel the length and breadth of the Witch World to seek the cure forthe evil that has ensnared her father's mind. With the help of her mysterious companion Alon, Elydryth discovers that there are many paths to the magic of the Witch World...and that to save her greatest love, the truest magic must come from the heart.Songsmith is a tribute to Norton's best creation - a moving story that will enchant readers of all ages.

Write-up from the back of the TOR paperback edition ~

“One of fantasy’s most beloved and enduring creations springs to vivid life once again… This seamless collaboration is classic Witch World.” – Rave ReviewsEydrth is a Master Songsmith...who has no magic. She will do anything to save her father from the evil that has stolen his mind. But the paths to the magic of the Witch World are many--and to save the ones you love, the truest magic must come from the heart…Andre Norton has been called “one of the most popular writers of our time” (Publishers Weekly) and has for over twenty-five years enchanted readers with the most famous and popular of her works: the enthralling Witch World. With bestseller A. C. Crispin, Norton has woven an eternal love story, filled with magic and wonder. Songsmith is the novel that Witch World fans have been waiting for – a shining jewel in the Witch World cosmos.“An exciting read.” - Starlog

Write-up from a fan ~

Back to the Witch World. Anne and Andre did a good job on this one. We meet Eydrth from Arvon, a songsmith on a quest to find some way to heal her father who (six years ago) was mind-blasted by old magic while looking for his wife who had been magically stolen away. She is travelling in Karsten on her way to Escarp to try to get help from the witches. They refuse to help her, but before she can leave, a young witch-in-training talks Eydrth into helping her Escape the "place of wisdom" so she can marry her sweetheart. After they get the girl back to her home, Eydrth meets Alon, a young man riding a Keplian/Torgian half breed who he uses to win a race where he is accused of cheating by using a "demon" horse. She helps him escape and he agrees to take her to Lormt to see if the scholars there can find some cure for her father. Halfway there, they were captured by a group of soldiers and a witch. The soldiers want to take Alon back to the village where he won the race and the witch wants Eydrth to make a witch out of her and punish her for helping the young girl escape. Using magic that he has been concealing, Alon casts a spell and they escape. Pursued by this group, they make a short stop at Lormt where they are told to visit Dahaun in the Valley of the Green Silences. On the way there, they encounter a crystal in which they see a sorceress drain all the magic power out of Denzil, an evil Adept and vowing to strip all the male magic-workers of their abilities. The sorceress then sees Alon and says that she will eventually get to him, but first she's going after Keroven. Eydrth obtains a box of Dahaun's red healing mud for her father. Alon opens a gate to Arvon where they face all kinds of peril and Eydrth discovers (to her great surprise) that there is POWER in her music. After a while they split up and she heads for Kar Garudwyn to heal her father and warn Keroven, while Alon chases after the sorceress. Will they succeed, or are they too late? Exciting adventures, dire peril and lots of magic and Love as well. Extremely good read. ~ PG